Is it Time for a Child Support Tune-up?

High school graduation is done, summer is now upon us, and a new school year is right around the corner, so this may be the perfect time to review your current child support order or agreement. Why? Because in North Carolina child support generally terminates when a child turns 18 or graduates from high school (whichever comes last).

Additionally, with summer and a new school year coming up, you may have increased expenses associated with your visitation or work-related child care. All of these may be reasons to review your current child support agreement and determine if a modification is in order.

If there have been changes in your gross incomes, increased expenses related to visitation, child care, or your child’s health insurance, or other extraordinary expenses, click here to access the state child support guidelines and worksheet. To use the forms, you’ll need to know the following:

gross income of both parents per month

if either of you have other children or another relationship

number of overnights the child spends with each parent

amount of health, dental, and vision insurance that is paid for the child or children per month and amount of work-related child care that each parent pays per month

other extraordinary expenses such as travel expenses for visitation or attending a private school due to a physical or educational handicap

What worksheet should you use?
If one parent has the children primarily and the other parent has them for less than 123 overnights a year, use Worksheet A. If you have joint custody and one parent has more than 123 overnights, use Worksheet B. And if one child lives primarily with one parent and another child lives primarily with the other parent, use Worksheet C.

Small changes in the numbers can add up, so it’s worth it to take a look at your child support situation now. A modification to the child support agreement may be justified by the results of the calculations in the worksheets.

You take your car to a professional for regular tune-ups right? Don’t your children deserve the same care and attention? Call (919) 719-3470 by July 15th to schedule your “child support tune up.” Meet with one of our attorneys for the special rate of just $99. A small increase or decrease in what you receive or what you pay can more than cover the cost of the consultation.